Switch-heater.



P. L. MOCCIA.

SWITCH HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I5. I9I8. 1,280, 107. Patented sept. 24,1918.

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PASQUALE L. MOCCIA, `OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SWITCH-HEATER.

umedica.

`Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

Application led March 15, 1918. Serial No. 222,672.

To all whom t may concern:

. Be it known that I, PASQUALE L. MocorA, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch-Heaters, 0fwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvementsin heating devices and hasparticular reference to a means for heating railway switches.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a simple,inexpensive and effective device of the class described which willthoroughly heat the switch points to prevent the formation of icethereon.

Another obj ect of the invention is the provision of a device of thecharacter described which will thoroughly and quickly thaw out a frozenswitch which has been rendered inoperative due to the accumulation ofice or snow in the path of movement of the switch point.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a deviceof this character which can be readily applied to the switch andsupported from the ties and which will also include means whereby thedegree of heat may be regulated at the will. of the operator to meetvarying conditions.

A' still further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which will include a retort or heating chamber adapted toreceive a liquid fuel and convey the same to an underlying tray fromwhich the fuel is adapted to be ignited and to heat the retort so thatthe fuel will be 'vaporized to an appreciable extent and thereby permitheat of a high intensity to be plil'olduced with a minimum consumptionof Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a. track structure showingthe application of the invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the retort.

The invention comprises a suitable number of trays 5, which are adaptedto be supported from the ties in positions beneath the switch points.Each of these trays is provided with an open top which is closed by aremovable cover plate 6, the same having nerforations 7, therein for theoutlet of the heat against the superposed rails of the track structureas clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. Each of these trays is supportedfrom horizontal angle bars 8, which are permanently suspended fr0m` sideguard plates or shields 9-9. The said plates or shields are positionedagainst the inner surfaces of the ties and as shown, they are providedwith flanges 10, which project over the ties and which are adapted to besecured thereto by fastenings 11. In this manner, the trays are properlysuspended from beneath the rails and the ties are preserved againstdamage by fire. The side walls of said trays are provided with suitableair passages 12, in order that combus tion of the gases will be properlypromoted within said trays.

Extending lengthwise of the track structure are reservoirs 13 which areadapted to contain a liquid fuel, such as crude oil. These reservoirsare respectively connected with the adjacent trays and as illustrated,the reservoir at one side of said track structure is provided with pipesections 14 which eX- tend in the direction of the adjacent trays 5 andthe same have their terminal ends threadedly or otherwise suitablyconnected at 15 with heating chambers or retorts 16. One of theseretorts is provided for each of the trays 5 and as illustrated in Fig.2, it is supported from the end walls of said tray and positionedslightly above the bottom. On the bottom of each tray and beneath theretort is placed a layer of pulverized asbestos 17. The retort isprovided with a plurality of perforaticns 18 which open in the directionof the asbestos in order that fuel when administered to the retort will,

in turn, be distributed on to said asbestos.

Located within each of said retorts is a heating core 19 which consistspreferably of a single bar of metal. The pipe sections 14 which leadfrom the mentioned reservoirs to the trays 5, are provided withcontrolling valves 20 whereby the iiow of liquid fuel to the retorts canbe satisfactorily regulated.

In practice, the devices are arranged beneath the switch points and fuelis per-l mitted to enter the retorts and to initially drip on to theasbestos. The retorts then become properly heated and as fuel continuesto be fed to said retorts, the same is thoroughly vaporized andtransformed into a highly gaseous matter. The heating core 19 which isprovided for each of said retorts serves to an appreciable extent toimprove the vaporizing characteristics thereof. The said core has adiameter which is a preciably less than the internal diameter oi) theretort in which it is fitted in order that a free circulation of fuel isestablished.

What I claim as new is:

l. A heating device of the character described comprising a plurality ofguard plates adapted to be suspended from spaced ties beneath thesuperposed rails, a tray supported from lsaid plates and adapted tounderlie the rails, a perforated cover removably fitted to said tray,and a burner underlying said cover and fitted to the tray.

2. A heating device of the character described comprising a tray havingperforations therein, a burner located Within the tray and including anoverlying retort, the said retort having perforations therein opening inthe direction of the burner, and

means for feeding liquid fuel to said retort. y

3. A heater of the character described comprising a reservoir, a valvedpipe leading from said reservoir7 a retort connected with saidppipe andprovided With perfora-` tions, and a heating core arranged insaidretort.

4. A heater comprising a tray provided with air intake passa-ges, thesaid tray having a perforated portion7 a retort extending through-outthe length of the tray and provided with downwardly openingperforations, a burner underlying the retort and consisting of asubstance onto Which liquid fuel is adapted to be conveyed and burned,and a heating core located Within said retort.

In testimony whereof I ailiX my signature.

PASQUALE L. MOCCIA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner-of Patents, Washington, D. C.

